Rodlike body feeding device

ABSTRACT

A device for feeding an elongate member comprises a tubular member having a slit extending in the axial direction thereof and locking portions arranged in the axial direction of the tubular member, and a slider disposed in the tubular member for sliding movement along the axial direction of the tubular member. The slider has a fastening portion for holding the elongated member, a slider body portion and a retraction preventing portion. The fastening portion and retraction preventing portion are connected together by an elastic portion, and the retraction preventing portion and slider body portion are connected together by an elastic portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for feeding a longitudinal rodlikebody, such as a lipstick, a crayon, a pastel and an eraser, and moreparticularly to a rodlike body feeding device capable of extending andretracting a rodlike body from and into a case easily, and preventingthe unintentional retraction of the rodlike body when in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Japanese Patent Publication No. 38239/1992 discloses a rodlike bodyfeeding device consisting of a tubular shaft provided with a slitextending in the axial direction of the tubular shaft, and a pluralityof engageable portions provided in the same axial direction; and aslider provided slidably in the tubular shaft and having a rodlikebody-fastening portion.

This prior art publication is directed to a holder for a rodlike body,and the holder has a slider provided in the tubular shaft slidably inthe axial direction, operable via a push-button, and fixable in anengagement position. The slider, mainly together with a tighteningmember, other than the push-button, constitutes a two-arm lever, and thetwo-arm lever can be turned around a common pivot. In order to convert apressing force, which is exerted on a receiving member in the axialdirection thereof, into a radially acting force and to transmit theconverted force, the receiving member and the tightening member aremovably connected via the above-mentioned pivot. The tubular shaft isprovided with a tightened surface or a locking hole and a guide slit.The guide slit is so provided as to face to the tightened surface orlocking hole. The object of adopting such a structure is to provide aholder for a rodlike member, the holder having a simple structure, suchthat, for example, the device can be easily operated by applying apressure to the push-button in the axial and/or radial direction, andthe rodlike member to be supported can be supported when an axial forceis applied to the rodlike member.

However, in order to retract a rodlike body into the conventionalrodlike body feeding device, it is necessary that the push-button (knob)be pressed radially inwardly toward the axis of the shaft (tube) andthen moved in the axial direction while releasing the lock forpreventing the retraction. Namely, the operability of this type ofdevice needs improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is, in view of the complicatedoperation of the conventional device of this kind, to provide a rodlikebody feeding device in which the rodlike body can be easily retracted,but which is not retracted during the use of the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedrodlike feeding body device capable of feeding a rodlike bodycomfortably with a light "click" sound even after the device has beenused for a long time.

The present invention has been developed with a view to attaining theseobjects, and is directed to a rodlike body feeding device comprising atubular shaft provided with a slit extending in the axial direction ofthe tubular shaft, and a plurality of locking portions arranged in thesame axial direction, and a slider provided slidably in the tubularshaft and having a rodlike body fastening portion. The slider comprisesa rodlike body fastening portion, a retraction preventing portion and aslider body in such a manner that the fastening portion and retractionpreventing portion are connected with each other by an elastic body, andsimilarly the retraction preventing portion and slider body areconnected with each other by an elastic member.

Since the rodlike fastening portion and retraction preventing portionare connected together, and the retraction preventing portion and sliderbody are connected together by the elastic members, respectively, theretraction preventing portion and the locking portions are not engagedwhile the rodlike body is being slid out or retracted, so that thefeeding and retraction of the rodlike body can be accomplished by onlythe application of an axial force. When the device is in use, i.e., whenthe rodlike body is projected to a feedout position and pressed against,for example, the surface of paper, the retraction preventing portionreceives a compressive force from the body fastening portion and sliderbody due to the reaction of the paper-pressing force, and is displacedtoward the axis of the tubular shaft to be engaged with the lockingportions thereof. Accordingly, unintentional retraction of the rodlikebody can be prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a rodlike body feedingdevice comprises a tubular shaft provided with a slit extending in theaxial direction of the tubular shaft, and a plurality of lockingportions provided in the same axial direction, and a slider providedslidably in the tubular shaft and having a rodlike body-fasteningportion, and has a structure in which the slider comprises a rodlikebody fastening portion, a retraction preventing portion connectedelastically to the body fastening portion, and a tubular slider bodyconnected elastically to the retraction preventing portion. A springmember is housed in the slider body in such a manner that the lockingportion having a locking portion projects from a window provided in aside wall of the slider body, and is engaged with one of theabove-mentioned locking portions.

By this structure, unintentional retraction of the rodlike body can beprevented, and, moreover, the shoulder portions of the spring memberwhich are on the lower side of the locking portion thereof are incontact with the inner surface of the slider body since the springmember is housed in the slider body in a state that the locking portionprojects from the window provided in the side wall of the slider body.When the rodlike body is projected or retracted, the locking portion ofthe spring member engages with and disengages from one of the lockingportions of the tubular shaft continuously, so that the spring member ismoved repeatedly in the radial, i.e. vertical direction. During thistime, the shoulder portions of the spring member impinge upon the innersurface of the slider body to generate light click sounds, and thedevice can thus be operated comfortably. Since both shoulder portions ofthe spring member impinge upon the inner surface of the slider body,clear click sounds can be generated as compared with a case where onlyone shoulder portion impinges upon the inner surface. The part uponwhich the spring member impinges is the inner surface of the wall of theslider body which can be thickened, so that the device is durable for along time.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a rodlike bodyfeeding device comprises a tubular shaft provide with a slit extendingin the axial direction of the tubular shaft, and a plurality of lockingportions provided in the same axial direction, and a slider providedslidably in the tubular shaft and having a rodlike body-fasteningportion. In this embodiment of the invention, the slider comprises arodlike body fastening portion, a retraction preventing portionconnected pivotably to the body fastening portion, and a slider bodyconnected pivotally to the retraction preventing portion.

By this arrangement, the retraction preventing portion and the lockingportion of the tubular shaft are not engaged with each other during therodlike body feeding and retraction operations, so that rodllke body canbe fed out and retracted by applying an axial force only to the knob.When the device is in use, the retraction preventing portion receives acompressive force from the body fastening portion and slider body due tothe reaction of the paper pressing force, and is displaced toward theaxis of the tubular shaft to be engaged with a locking portion thereof.Accordingly, the retraction of the rodlike body can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a rodlike body feeding device accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the rodlike body feeding deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 and 4 are a front elevation and a side elevation, respectively,of a slider in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a retraction preventing mechanism shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are a front elevation and a side elevation, respectively,of a slider in a modified example of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a front elevation and a side elevation, respectively,of a slider of another modified example of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a side elevation of the slider of still another modifiedexample;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section of a modified example of the rodlikebody feeding device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section showing a part of a rodlike bodyfeeding device according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are a front elevation and a side elevation,respectively, of a slider employed in the second embodiment of therodlike body feeding device; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are a front elevation and a side elevation,respectively, of a slider of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a flat surface portion 1a is formed on the outersurface of a tubular shaft 1, so that the flat surface portion 1aextends in the axial direction thereof. The flat surface portion 1a hasa slit 2 having on both sides thereof a plurality of mutually-facingpairs of locking portions 2a consisting of rectangular recesses.

In the tubular shaft 1, slidably provided is a slider 3, which has afastening portion 3a to which a rodlike body A, such as a lipstick, acrayon, a pastel, an eraser and a cutting blade is fixed. In this slider3, the part of the fastening portion 3a, to which the rodlike body A isfastened, which is on the opposite side of the locking portions 2a, andthe part of a retraction preventing portion 3b, on which a projection 3dconstituting locking means is formed, which is on the opposite side ofthe locking portions 2a, are connected to each other by an elasticplatelike member 3e at a lower position of the platelike member. Thepart of the retraction preventing portion 3b which is close to thelocking portions 2a, and the part of a slider body 3c which is close tothe locking portions 2a are connected to each other by an elasticplatelike member 3f at an upper position of the platelike member.

As shown in FIG. 5, spring member (for example, a leaf spring) 4 has alocking portion 4a engageable with a locking portion 2a formed in thetubular shaft 1 and the spring member 4 is disposed in the interior ofthe retraction preventing portion 3b and slider body 3c so that thespring member 4 forms a "mountain" shape. The locking portion 4a of thisspring member 4 can be engaged with a locking portion 2a formed in thetubular shaft 1 through a hole 3g made in the central part of theplatelike portion 3f by which the retraction preventing portion 3b andslider body 3c are connected together. A knob 5 of a clip 6 is fixed tothe slider body 3c at its leg portion 5a extending inward through theslit 2.

The locking portion 4a may be a projection capable of entering a lockingportion 2a, and, when the operability of the device during the feedingand retraction of the rodlike body A is taken into consideration, it ispreferable that the locking portion 4a has a curved or inclined surface.In view of the effect in preventing the retraction of the rodlike bodyA, it is preferable that the feeding-side surface (front surface) of theprojection 3d constituting a locking portion is a curved or inclinedsurface, and that the retraction-side surface (rear surface) thereof isa substantially vertical surface when viewing the feeding device in thehorizontal orientation shown in FIG. 5. The tubular shaft 1 can employany of other suitable cross-sectional shapes, such as a square or flat(oval) cross-sectional shape.

An operation of the device will now be described. Referring to FIG. 2which shows the device in a rest state, the retraction preventingportion 3b does not receive any force from the fastening portion 3a andslider body 3c, so that the projection 3d constituting a locking portionis not in engagement with a locking portion 2a. When a pressing force isapplied to the knob 5 in the moving direction of the rodlike body A soas to feed or retract the rodlike body A, the locking portion 4a isdisplaced toward the axis of the tubular shaft (i.e., in the radiallyinward direction of the tubular shaft) and disengaged from a lockingportion 2a. During this time, the retraction preventing portion 3breceives only a force applied in one direction, so that the projection3d constituting a locking portion does not engage a locking portion 2a.When the device is in use, i.e., when the rodlike body A is projectedoutward and pressed on the surface of paper, the reaction force which isequal to the pressing force applied to the surface of the paper isexerted on the rodlike body A. Therefore, a force acting to retract therodlike body A is exerted on the slider 3. However, since an engagementforce of the locking portion 4a with respect to a locking portion 2a isexerted on the slider body 3c, the retraction preventing portion 3breceives a compressive force from the fastening portion 3a and sliderbody 3c and is displaced radially outwardly, so that a locking portion2a and the projection 3d are engaged with each other as shown in FIG. 5.This prevents the retraction of the rodlike body A during use of thefeeding device. When the rodlike body A is displaced away from thesurface of the paper after the device is used, the reaction forcedescribed above is lost, and a pressure difference between the lockingportion 2a of the tubular shaft 1 and the projection 3d constituting alocking portion is also lost. Consequently, the retraction preventingportion 3b returns to the original position and is disengaged from thelocking portion 2a, so that the rodlike body A can be easily retractedinto the tubular shaft 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 showing a modified example of thisembodiment, a platelike portion 3e of an elastic material for connectinga fastening portion 3a of a slider 3 and a retraction preventing portion3b together is positioned close to the locking portions 2a, and aplatelike portion 3f of an elastic material for connecting theretraction preventing portion 3b and a slider body 3c together ispositioned on the opposite side of the locking portions 2a. Accordingly,this modified example is identical with the previously-describedembodiment except that a projection 3d serving as a locking portion isformed on the part of the retraction preventing portion 3b which is nearthe fastening portion 3a, and the operation and effect of this modifiedexample are also substantially identical with those of the previousembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 which show another modified example, both aplatelike portion 3e of an elastic material for connecting a fasteningportion 3a of a slider 3 and a retraction preventing portion 3btogether, and a platelike portion 3f of an elastic material forconnecting the retraction preventing portion 3b and a slider body 3ctogether are formed close to locking portions 2a. Accordingly, thismodified example is identical with the first embodiment except that aprojection 3d constituting a locking portion is formed on thesubstantially central part of the retraction preventing portion 3b, andthe operation and effect of the modified example are identical withthose of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9A shows still another modified example.

In this modified example, a fastening portion 3a of a slider and aslider body 3c are connected together by a retraction preventing portion3b comprising an elastic plate member, and a projection 3d constitutinga locking portion is formed on the substantially central part of thisretraction preventing portion 3b. This modified example is identicalwith the above-described embodiment except that the retractionpreventing portion 3b is so formed as to be curved arcuately and theprojection 3d is formed outside the arcuately formed retractionpreventing portion 3b. The operation and effect of this modified exampleare also substantially identical with those of the first embodiment.

Although in the example shown in FIG. 9 only one retraction preventingportion 3b is provided, two retraction preventing portions may also beprovided. When two retraction preventing portions are provided, thefastening portion 3a of the slider and the slider body 3c are connectedtogether at their lower parts by the retraction preventing portions 3b,and projections 3d constituting locking portions are formed on thesubstantially central parts of the lower sides of the retractionpreventing portions 3b. In this case the projections 3d constitutingdownwardly extending locking portions contact the inner surface of thetubular shaft and generate frictional resistance, so that the retractionof a rodlike body A can be prevented more reliably. There are some caseswhere the retraction of a certain kind of rodlike body can be preventedto a certain extent even by only the friction between the retractionpreventing portions and the inner surface of the tubular shaft. In suchcases, the projection is not necessarily formed on the retractionpreventing portions 3b.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section showing a modified example of therodlike body feeding device of FIG. 2. In this modified example, a slit2 and locking portions 2a consisting of a plurality of holes are formedin a tubular shaft so that the slit 2 and locking portions 2a arepositioned in a confronting relation with each other. Therefore, theconstruction, operation and effect of this modified example areidentical with those of the first embodiment except that a knob 5 isprovided on the opposite side of the locking portions 2a. The lockingportions may be bores or recesses aligned longitudinally other than theillustrated examples.

A second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11-13 willnow be described. In this embodiment, a slider 3 is so formed that aretraction preventing portion 3b on which a projection 3d is formed isconnected resiliently by a platelike portion 3e to a fastening portion3a to which a rodlike body A if fastened, and a slider body 3c is joinedresiliently to this retraction preventing portion 3b by a platelikeportion 3f. A spring member 4 of a leaf spring having a locking portion4a engageable with the locking portions 2a formed in a tubular shaft 1is provided in the interior of the slider body 3c in such a manner thatthe spring member 4 forms a "mountain" shape. The locking portion 4a ofthe spring member 4 is projected from a window 3i provided in a sidewall of the slide body 3c and engageable with a locking portion 2a inthe tubular shaft 1, and the shoulder portions 4b of the spring member 4contact the inner surface of the slider body 3c. A knob 5 of a clip 6 isfixed at its leg portions 5a, extending downward through a slit 2 to theslider body 3c.

As best shown in FIG. 13, the locking portion 4a of the spring member 4may be a projection capable of entering a locking portion 2a, and, whenthe operability of the device during the feeding and retraction of therodlike body A is taken into consideration, it is preferable that theside surface of the locking portion 4a has a curved or inclined surface.In view of the effect in preventing the retraction of the rodlike bodyA, it is preferable that the feeding (front) surface of the projection3d constituting a locking portion has a curved or inclined surface, andthat the retraction-side (rear) surface thereof has a substantiallyvertical surface, in the same manner as in the previously-describedembodiment.

Since an operation of the device in this embodiment is identical withthat of the previously-described embodiment shown in, for example, FIG.5, the detailed description thereof is omitted. When the device is inuse, i.e., when the rodlike body A is projected outward and contacts thesurface of paper, the reaction force which is equal to the pressingforce applied to the surface of the paper is exerted on the rodlike bodyA. Therefore, a force for retracting the rodlike body A is exerted onthe slider 3. However, since a force of engagement of the lockingportion 4a with a locking portion 2a is exerted on the slider body 3c,the retraction preventing portion 3b receives a compressive force fromthe fastening portion 3a and slider body 3c and is displaced radiallyoutwardly, so that the locking portion 2a and the projection 3dconstituting a locking portion are engaged with each other as shown inFIG. 5. This enables the retraction of the rodlike body A to beprevented.

When a pressing force is applied in the operating direction to the knob5 fixed to the slider body 3c so as to slide the rodlike body A out orretract it, the locking portion 4a of the spring member 4 is displacedinwardly toward the axis of the tubular shaft (i.e., in the radiallyinward direction) against the elastic force of the spring member 4, sothat the locking portion 4a is disengaged from a first locking portion2a with which it is engaged and engages another locking portion 2aadjacent to the first locking portion 2a in accordance with the movementof the slider 3. During this time, the two shoulder portions 4b of thespring member 4 impinge upon the inner surface of the thick wall of theslider body 3c and generate light and pleasant click sounds. Therefore,the device can withstand-long-term use sufficiently.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 which show another embodiment of thepresent invention, a platelike portion 3e extending rearwardly from aportion 3a, to which a rodlike body A is fastened, of a slider 3 and aretraction preventing portion 3b on which a projection 3d constituting alocking portion is formed are connected pivotally by connecting members3h, such as bolts or screw, and this retraction preventing portion 3band a slider body 3c are pivotally connected by a connecting portion 3fthrough connecting members 3j, 3k such as bolts or screws. Although theplatelike portion 3e formed integrally with the fastening portion 3a isillustrated as an example, it can also be formed separately from thefastening portion 3a. When the platelike portion 3e is formed separatelyfrom the fastening portion 3a, they may be fixedly or pivotallyconnected together.

Since the construction of the other parts of the feeding device in thisembodiment are identical with that of the corresponding parts of thepreviously-described embodiments, the detailed description thereof willbe omitted. An operation of the device in the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and15 will now be briefly described.

When the device in this embodiment is in use with the rodlike bodyprojected, a reaction force corresponding to the paper-pressing force isexerted on the rodlike body A, so that a force for retracting therodlike body A is applied to the slider 3. A force due to the engagementof the locking portion 4a of a spring member 4 with a locking portion 2aof the tubular shaft 1 is imparted to the slider body 3c. Accordingly,the retraction preventing portion 3b receives a compressive force fromthe fastening portion 3a and slider body 3c and is displaced in theradially outward direction (vertically upward as shown in FIG. 15) tocause the locking portion 2a of the tubular shaft 1 and the projection3d to be engaged with each other. This can prevent the retraction of therodlike body A during use thereof. When the rodlike body A is displacedaway from the surface of the paper after the device is used, thereaction force described above is lost, and a pressure differencebetween the locking portion 2a of the tubular shaft 1 and the projection3d constituting a locking portion is also lost. Consequently, theretraction preventing portion 3b returns to the original position and isdisengaged from the locking portion 2a, so that the rodlike body A canbe easily retracted into the tubular shaft 1. Since the platelikeportion 3e and connecting portion 3f can be formed separately, thematerial therefor can be selected freely. Therefore, the mechanicalstrength of the slider can be increased as necessary, and the device canbe formed so as to withstand long-term use.

What is claimed is:
 1. A feeding device for feeding a rodlike body,comprising: a tubular member having a slit extending in the axialdirection of the tubular member, and a plurality of locking portionsarranged in the axial direction of the tubular member; and a sliderdisposed in the tubular member for sliding movement in the axialdirection of the tubular member, the slider having a fastening portionfor holding the rodlike body, a tubular slider body portion and aretraction preventing portion, the fastening portion and the retractionpreventing portion being connected together by a first elastic portion,and the retraction preventing portion and the tubular slider bodyportion being connected together by a second elastic portion.
 2. Afeeding device for feeding a rodlike body, comprising: a tubular memberhaving a slit extending in the axial direction of the tubular member,and a plurality of locking portions arranged in the axial direction ofthe tubular member; and a slider disposed in the tubular member forsliding movement in the axial direction of the tubular member, theslider having a fastening portion for holding the rodlike body, aretraction preventing portion elastically connected to the fasteningportion, a tubular slider body portion elastically connected to theretraction preventing portion, and a spring member extending into thetubular slider body and having a locking portion, the locking portion ofthe spring member projecting from an opening provided in a side wall ofthe tubular slider body portion for engagement with one of the lockingportions of the tubular member.
 3. A feeding device for feeding arodlike body, comprising: a tubular member having a slit extending inthe axial direction of the tubular member, and a plurality of lockingportions arranged in the axial direction of the tubular member; and aslider disposed in the tubular member for sliding movement in the axialdirection of the tubular member, the slider having a fastening portionfor holding the rodlike body, a slider body portion and a retractionpreventing portion, the fastening portion and the retraction preventingportion being pivotally connected together, and the retractionpreventing portion and the slider body portion being pivotally connectedtogether.
 4. A feeding device as claimed in claim 1; further comprisingan operating member movable in the axial direction of the tubularmember, the operating member being connected to the slider for slidingthe slider during movement of the operating member in only the axialdirection of the tubular member.
 5. A feeding device as claimed in claim4; wherein the operating member is fixed to the tubular slider bodyportion of the slider.
 6. A feeding device as claimed in claim 4;further comprising a spring member disposed in the tubular member and inengagement with the slider, the spring member having a locking portionfor engagement with the locking portions of the tubular member when theoperating member slides the slider in the axial direction of the tubularmember.
 7. A feeding device as claimed in claim 1; wherein theretraction preventing portion of the slider has a projection forengagement with the locking portions of the tubular member uponapplication of a compressive force on the rodlike body in the axialdirection of the tubular member.
 8. A feeding device as claimed 7;further comprising a spring member disposed in the tubular member and inengagement with the slider, the spring member having a locking portionfor engagement with the locking portions of the tubular member duringsliding movement of the slider in the axial direction of the tubularmember.
 9. A feeding device as claimed in claim 8; wherein the springmember has a first leg portion engaging the tubular slider body, and asecond leg portion engaging the retraction preventing portion.
 10. Afeeding device as claimed in claim 9; wherein the second elastic portionof the slider has an opening, and the locking portion of the springmember extends through said opening.
 11. A feeding device for feeding abody, comprising: a tubular member having a plurality of lockingportions arranged in the axial direction of the tubular member; a sliderdisposed in the tubular member for sliding movement in first and seconddirections along the axial direction of the tubular member, the sliderhaving a fastening portion for holding a body to be fed, a projectionfor engagement with the locking portions of the tubular member only uponapplication of a force on the body tending to slide the slider in thesecond direction, a slider body portion, an intermediate body portionsupporting the projection, a first elastic portion connecting thefastening portion to the intermediate body portion, and a second elasticportion connecting the slider body portion to the intermediate bodyportion; and a spring member disposed in the tubular member and engagingthe slider, the spring member having a locking portion for engagementwith the locking portions of the tubular member during sliding movementof the slider in the first and second directions.
 12. A feeding deviceas claimed in claim 11; wherein the spring member has a first legportion and a second leg portion, the first leg portion engaging theintermediate body portion of the slider, and the second leg portionengaging the slider body portion of the slider.
 13. A feeding device asclaimed in claim 12; wherein the second elastic portion of the sliderhas an opening, and the locking portion of the spring member extendsthrough the opening.
 14. A feeding device as claimed in claim 12;wherein the slider body portion has an opening, and the locking portionof the spring member extends through the opening.
 15. A feeding deviceas claimed in claim 11; wherein the projection of the slider is disposedcloser to the second elastic portion than to the first elastic portion.16. A feeding device as claimed in claim 11; wherein the projection ofthe slider is disposed closer to the first elastic portion than to thesecond elastic portion.
 17. A feeding device as claimed in claim 11;wherein the slider is of one-piece construction.
 18. A feeding device asclaimed in 11; wherein the first and second elastic portions of theslider are pivotally connected to the respective fastening portion,intermediate body portion and slider body portion of the slider.
 19. Afeeding device as claimed in claim 11; further comprising an operatingmember movable in the axial direction of the tubular member, theoperating member being connected to the slider for sliding the sliderbetween the first and second directions during movement of the operatingmember only in the axial direction of the tubular member.